Too many horror stories begin with individuals charged with misdemeanors (or disorderly persons offenses in New Jersey) that on their face appear harmless. The problem is compounded when the prosecutor offers a PTC “plea to the charge” with no jail time and either a reasonable or nominal fine.

Receiving an offer for employment is always exciting, but before signing on the dotted line you should take the time to read the agreement in its entirety. Special attention should be paid to non-compete and customer solicitation clauses as they will limit your ability to earn or work in the future.

In the past year, landlords of rent stabilized units have been encountering a new “pro-active” arm of the Department of Housing and Community Renewal (“DHCR”). Calling itself the Tenant Protection Unit (“TPU”), this group has been actively auditing landlords that have increased rents between tenants after performing a renovation in a given unit.

The new minimum wage in New York City for non “fast food” businesses with eleven or more employees took effect on December 31, 2016. As a result, the minimum wage increased from $9.00 per hour to $11.00 per hour. At the same time, the tip credit in the restaurant/hospitality industry increased from $1.50 per hour to $3.50 per hour.

Along with the changes to the minimum wage that took effect on December 31, 2016, New York is returning to separate tip credit allowances for food service workers and service employees. In the restaurant business, food service workers typically consist of waitstaff and wait assistants or bussers, whereas service employees typically consist of delivery workers.

The typical sales pitch is a full court press to weigh you down into signing a verbose and difficult to understand agreement. Fortunately, lawyers are always in the picture when the contract has to do with real estate and more often than not the final agreement is fair and balanced.